Cisco Adaptive Security Appliance Software contains a vulnerability that could allow an authenticated, local attacker to gain elevated privileges. Updates are available.

Description

A vulnerability in the Easy VPN feature of Cisco ASA Software running on Cisco ASA 5505 hardware could allow an authenticated, local attacker to elevate their privileges on the device running Cisco ASA Software.

The vulnerability is due to a mishandling of privilege levels, which are temporarily manipulated by the vpnclient command. An attacker could exploit this vulnerability by executing the vpnclient command, if the privilege of this command is changed, so the local attacker can execute it.

Cisco has confirmed the vulnerability in a security notice and software updates are available.

Warning Indicators

At the time this alert was first published, Cisco ASA Software versions 9.1.2 and prior were vulnerable. Later versions of Cisco ASA Software may also be affected.

IntelliShield Analysis

To exploit this vulnerability, an attacker must authenticate and have local access to a targeted device. These access requirements decreases the likelihood of a successful exploit.

Customers are advised to review the bug report in the vendor announcements section for a current list of affected versions.

Cisco indicates through the CVSS score that functional exploit code exists; however, the code is not known to be publicly available.

An authenticated, local attacker could exploit this vulnerability to gain elevated privileges on a targeted device. Successful exploitation could lead to a complete system compromise.

Technical Information

The vulnerability is due to insufficient security restrictions imposed by the Easy VPN feature of the affected software. The affected software fails to properly handle privilege levels.

An authenticated, local could exploit this vulnerability by executing the vpnclient command. If successful, the attacker could elevate privileges on the targeted device if the privilege level of the vpnclient command changes to a higher privilege level.

Safeguards

Administrators are advised to apply the appropriate updates.

Administrators are advised to allow only trusted users to access local systems.

Administrators may consider using AAA command authorization to mitigate this vulnerability.

Administrators are advised to allow only privileged users to access administration or management systems.

Administrators are advised to monitor affected systems.

Patches/Software

Cisco customers with active contracts should contact their Cisco support team for assistance in upgrading to a software version that includes fixes for this vulnerability. Cisco customers without contracts may contact the Cisco Technical Assistance Center at 1-800-553-2447 or 1-408-526-7209 or via e-mail at tac@cisco.com for assistance.

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LEGAL DISCLAIMER
The urgency and severity ratings of this alert are not tailored to individual users; users may value alerts differently based upon their network configurations and circumstances. THE ALERT, AND INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN, ARE PROVIDED ON AN "AS IS" BASIS AND DO NOT IMPLY ANY KIND OF GUARANTEE OR WARRANTY, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR USE. YOUR USE OF THE ALERT, AND INFORMATION CONTAINED THEREIN, OR MATERIALS LINKED FROM THE ALERT, IS AT YOUR OWN RISK. INFORMATION IN THIS ALERT AND ANY RELATED COMMUNICATIONS IS BASED ON OUR KNOWLEDGE AT THE TIME OF PUBLICATION AND IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE. CISCO RESERVES THE RIGHT TO CHANGE OR UPDATE ALERTS AT ANY TIME.